Domestic violence has impacts both inside and outside the home. And for children who grow up in an environment where domestic violence is common, the risk for developmental harm is high.
Dr. Isabelle Côté, an associate professor at Laurentian University’s School of Social Work, has launched the PEVC Institute (Protecting Children Against Domestic Violence) with research partner, Simon Lapierre of the University of Ottawa.
The focus of their research and training initiative is safeguarding children living in domestic violence situations, with a focus on intervention, prevention and professional training, said a press release.
The PEVC Institute was born out of Côté and Lapierre’s five-year research project funded by a $1-million grant from Status of Women Canada in 2019. Building on the evidence-based practices developed during their research, PEVC Institute operates with significant support from the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon.
“Children who live with domestic violence are at a high risk of developmental harm,” said Côté. “Our goal is to ensure their safety, empower community professionals, and together, create effective intervention strategies, ultimately saving lives.”
The PEVC Institute provides comprehensive training for Francophone professionals in youth protection, law enforcement, women’s shelters, perpetrator intervention programs and legal services, the Laurentian release states.
Community service professionals learn best practices directly from the researchers through a four-day training program. Participants learn to handle complex cases of domestic violence, focus on the safety of children and their mother, and better understand accountability for perpetrators.
“Cases of domestic violence are some of the most difficult and dangerous to handle,” Côté said in the release. “We are shifting the paradigm with a rapid-response model that emphasizes both immediate safety and long-term change. To our knowledge, this research-to-front-line-training format is the first of its kind in this field in Canada.”
The PEVC model was implemented in three pilot regions of Quebec and is now offered in seven regions in both English and French. It has trained a growing number of police officers, lawyers, prosecutors, and social service providers throughout Quebec.
“Domestic violence is often invisible, and perpetrators can appear like the ‘good guy next door,’” said Côté. “We are training professionals to detect and address these situations before it’s too late, using a holistic approach that prioritizes the safety of children.”
Funding from Fondation Chagnon means the PEVC Institute can continue expanding its training and research efforts.
“Our work is intended to go beyond intervention,” said Côté. “It’s about giving children the safe and healthy childhood they deserve, and ensuring that families can break free from cycles of violence.”